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In a recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE, probiotics reduces the accumulation of fat in the liver of obese rats, suggesting that probiotics could be helpful for those suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The researchers from University of Granada worked with three probiotic strains: Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. The strains were administered for 30 days in the diet of obese rats.
The probiotics led to an accumulation of lipids (most of them triacylglycerides) in the liver which was significantly lower than that occurring in rats fed with a placebo. The accumulation of fat in the liver is called steatosis which is closely related to obesity and diabetes.
'The liver disease will not be cured with probiotics, but these microorganisms can certainly be used as support therapy in joint use with other treatment,' researchers noted.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics also known as 'good bacteria' or 'helpful bacteria' are living microorganisms that are beneficial to our health. The human digestive tract contains about 400-500 types of good bacteria that reduce growth of harmful bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system. Lactic acid bacteria and bifido bacteria are the most abundant strains of bacteria in the human digestive tract and are most commonly used as probiotics. Some kinds of yeast are also used as probiotics. (Read how probiotics help women lose weight.)
Health benefits of probiotics
With inputs from IANS
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